Saracen info reqd

[Bob Grundy]

This particular Saracen has two turrets. Does anyone know anything about it ?

[Richard Farrant]

Hi Bob,

it appears to have vision blocks around the turret. Makes me wonder if it was used by RARDE Fort Halstead as they had some oddball conversions for use on ranges for observation of test firing.

[BlueBelle]

Take a look here:

https://www.nationalcoldwarexhibition.org/research/collections/saracen/

The photo they have has an army VRN but they don't say if they have the Saracen itself nor do they say what purpose it served. I would have thought it's for service in a terrorist-active environment ..... the vision blocks could be 'bullet' proof....ish.

[fv1609]

I notice that site isn't too clever, they say a Humber Pig APC was FV1601

[Bob Grundy]

Thanks BlueBelle that photo that the link shows is one of them. There must have been more as the one, in my photo has the VRN 99 BA 17.

Richard's suggestion has merit but BlueBelle's one seems to show a gun in the rear turret

[Richard Farrant]

Hi Bob

it seems odd that your photo indicates it was an ambulance. I cannot see why in that role it would need turrets.

[fv1609]

These variants have cropped up before, said to be RE Airfield Damage Repair (ADR) Recce Saracens